Hundreds of children from across the Neath Port Talbot area will come together at a series of rugby festivals being hosted by the Ospreys throughout March.
Afan Nedd Development Officer Andrew Thomas has organised the special day-long events, which will take place on consecutive Sunday’s, starting this weekend.
In total, there are five minis rugby festivals organised, each for a different age-grade from U7 to U11, with between 12 and 20 teams confirmed for each one.
Designed to encourage rugby participation, each child taking part will receive a medal at the end of the day, regardless of results and performance, which will be presented by Ospreys players, who will then be photographed with each team.
The festivals will take place at the following rugby clubs on the dates listed:
Sunday 4th March, Seven Sisters, U7
Sunday 11th March, TATA, U10
Sunday 18th March, Crynant, U9
Sunday 25th March, Resolven, U8
Sunday 1st April, Ystradgynlais, U11
Andrew Thomas, Afan Nedd Ospreys Development Officer, said:
“These festivals are going to be one of the highlights the Afan Nedd District minis rugby season, providing young players with an opportunity to play against other clubs in a safe and friendly environment. All five festivals are going to be busy, but it’ll be fantastic to see hundreds of rugby mad youngsters outside with a ball in hand.
“We’ve got the full support of the Ospreys senior team and management who will be ensuring that there are players in attendance at each festival to help ensure they are extra special for the young supporters who will be competing.”
All clubs in the Afan Nedd District have been invited, with the following confirmed for the various festivals:
Aberavon Green Stars U7, U10
Abercrave U7, U8, U10
Banwen U7, U8
Briton Ferry U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Bryncoch U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Crynant U7, U8, U9, U11
Cwmafan U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Cwmgors U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Cwmgwrach U7, U8
Cwmtwrch U7, U8, U9
Dulais Valley Lions U9, U10, U11
Glynneath U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Neath Athletic U7, U8, U9, U10
Pontardawe U7, U9, U10
Resolven U8, U11
Seven Sisters U7, U8
Skewen U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Taibach U7, U8
TATA U7, U8, U9, U10, U11
Tonna U10
Trebanos U7, U8
Ystradgynlais U7, U8, U10, U11